The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1887-10-05

to man in low tones, and the whole
line Of skirmishers quietly turned and
marched up through the corn to the
top Of the ridge. As they came to the
open ground at the summit all was still
about and in front Of them. Their
comrades were out Of hearing in their
retreat. The Captain mounted his
horse-which an orderly had been
holding while the Captain was on foot |
with his skirmishers-and put his lit
tie regiment in motion to follow the
army. He himself remained until the
last Of his men had fled by. and then
followed. As he did this, he turned
his face as if for last look at the
bloody field. There was nothing there
now but darkness and silence. Perfect
silence. it seemed. thinking of what
hal been there now less than two
hours before. It was perfect silence,
save that two hundred yards down the
ridge to the front, where the enemy's
dead and wounded lay thickest,
sharp cry came up out of the night
now and then, as the hospital corps
lifted sufferer too roughly or turned
some poor fellow over upon mangled
limb. Save, also, that rustling noise
in the corn through which he had just
come told the Captain that the enemy's
skirmishers left at the fence below
were already moving on his track.
"The last man at Chickamauga"
muttered the captain as he rode on aft
er his regiment
They passed quickly down the rear
ward slope into the deeper shadow Of
the valley, and presently turning their
heads to look behind, saw family out
lined against the sky the figures of the
Southern skirmishers as one after an
other they emerged from the corn and
stood upon the crest.
The last Of Chickamauga! All, no!
Not the last; for as the little rear
guard reached the lower ground they
came upon their wounded comrades,
who, too badly hurt to 90 on to the
rear, had yet with untold agony
dragged themselves back from the fire.
swept ground in front, and so got par
tial shelter. Along the route these
wretched sufferers lay thickly. Here
one with an arm half torn off; there a
foot dangling; here a poor fellow shot
through the body, his death question
not of hours, but of minutes; and SO
on, in sickening continuance. And all
wanting water! There had been none
all day. and the retreating soldiers
were marching with lips and tongues
blackened and swollen and cracked
with thirst until many could utter nc
articulate sound.
"Boys, you won't 60 and leave III
herep"
"For Gou's sake, water! water!"
"Boys, are you going on the retreat
and leave us behind?"
"You ought to hold the ground
boys, till they take care of us!''
"Waterl water! Don't let us di'
here?"
Pitiful, pitiful appeals! And all il
vain. Not a canteen Of water in tn
whole command. Not an ambulance
,, within miles. Nothing but victori
Gus foe behind, an unknown way il
front, and the blackness of night owe
all! Pitiful, pitiful! Harder to face
these reproaches than all of Bragg
artillery. All! here is punishment
Not only to leave the field to the enc
my, but to abandon torn and bleedin
:, brothers, also!
. So thought the Captain, riding Il
rear of his little worn command. Pres
: emily he heard well-known voice a
:, the roadside, and pulled up his horse
= Good heavens, Major! You here
:. and hurt!' cried the Captain, as h
: came close to PROSTATE figure at tn
roadside.
Eyes, Milney, I'm here. For God
sake get me drink of water!" replie
the sufferer. And then went on eager
= ly: sis it a retreat Captainp Have W
= lost it alp Where are the ambulance
' and the hospital trainsp Are all thes
poor fellows to be left to the enemy
: Why, they can't take care of their ow
- in this wilderness, let alone ours!
= is cruel-itis horrible! Get me drinl
Captain; get me drink! That is all
shall ever want. ! shall not get ava
!. from here"
y Captain Milney dismounted. He ha
few precious drops of water in hi
y canteen-hoarded tor hours against h
own thirst His friend. Major Galtor
he found was shot in the breast-ho
. badly could not be told. He W;
, quickly relieved so far as half doze
swallows of the life-giving water coul
y do it.
N God bless you. Milneyr he crie'
n you've done me the last service
IL shall receive in life. God bless yor
" my friend! And now 60 on. "
T. can't help these poor fellows here,
10 know; you can't help me any furthe
l. Go on with your regiment and lea
n us. But here. Milney, take this lette
"a and when you 60 back in Gods Oh
20 country give it to Nina Clark, and te
70 her that her promise made a man